Journalist Lauren Windle got a taste of the high-life when she tried out four high street personal shopping services which are all completely free

There is however, a little known and under appreciated alternative... and it's the high street's best kept secret.

Many of the big-name stores offer a completely free personal stylist service.

Not "free" with hidden catches, not "free" if you spend a small fortune, not "free" if you can withstand the pressure of the salesperson with a the perseverance of an estate agent crossed with a Jehovah's witness... actually free.

Fabulous Online sent journalist and "usually just wears black" fashion novice Lauren Windle to check out the personal styling services at Debenhams, River Island, Topshop and Dorothy Perkins.

Oscar, my stylist for the day - previously from Selfridges and Harrods - had already pulled together a rail of clothes based on my preferences.

That's right. No hunting for my size here.

Oscar had opted for a couple of chic daytime looks and, as requested, a bit of all-out glam for the evening.

After talking me through his selections and lending a hand with some helpful styling tips, I was left to try on the haul with styling assistants on hand to grab other sizes, top up glasses and generally ooh and aah at the outfits.

Taking a seat on one of the stylish metal chairs I swigged on my Dorothy Perkins branded water while Victoria walked me through her style selections.

The selection the Dorothy Perkins store was naturally more limited than the vast expanse of clothes offered in the likes of Topshop or Debenhams so my personal shopping experience here was more about dressing basics with an eye for style than selecting one-off pieces.

Dorothy Perkins styling service is available in many of their stores nationwide. More info here.

No suffocating under the bustling crowds, no getting stuck in the back of endless queues for cashiers, no getting weighed down carrying clothes that I hope to try on following a 20 minute queue for a changing room.

The remarkable thing is that this VIP service isn't exclusive at all, it's available for anyone. Literally anyone.

Have we been crazy for trying to go it alone for so long?

There's a world of luxury out there ready for the taking, one where you're handed a cup of coffee (or even a glass of fizz) and you are treated like a queen.

Plus for the fashion-neophytes out there, it's time to stop poring over magazines and creating Pinterest boards called "summer inspiration".

Why should we work so hard when the likes of Oscar, Hayley, Lauren and Victoria are ready and willing to do it for us?

I have seen the future people. This is how I'm shopping from now on and there's no going back.

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